Cardinal-Hickory Creek
A 102-mile 345-kV transmission line connecting the Cardinal Substation in Dane County, Wisconsin to the Hickory Creek Substation in Dubuque County, Iowa. Enables delivery of 24+ GW from 161 renewable energy projects across the Upper Midwest. Completed despite years of environmental opposition and federal litigation.
Risk Factors (Historical)
Analysis: Primary opposition focused on environmental concerns about the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge crossing. Strong regulatory and political support enabled completion despite federal lawsuit.
Timeline
MISO includes project in transmission portfolio as Multi-Value Project (MVP)
Wisconsin PSC approves Western-North and Eastern-South routes (Docket 05-CE-146)
Construction begins following all major permits secured
All environmental reviews and permitting completed; USFWS approves land exchange for refuge crossing
Eastern half of line energized; 161 renewable projects (24.7 GW) now have transmission path
Conservation groups file federal lawsuit challenging refuge segment, alleging unlawful land exchange and NEPA violations
Federal appellate court allows construction to proceed despite pending lawsuit
Full energization achieved; project enters commercial service 13 years after MISO recommendation
Opposition Groups
Conservation Coalition
MEDIUMCoalition of environmental groups focused on protecting Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge from transmission line crossing
Local Property Owners
LOWProperty owners along route concerned about visual impacts and easement compensation
Legal Challenges
Refuge Crossing Lawsuit
Claims: Unlawful land exchange with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; NEPA violations regarding environmental review of refuge segment
Significance: Despite lawsuit, May 2024 appellate ruling allowed construction to proceed. Project completed while case remains technically open.
Key Arguments Against
- Damage to Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge habitats
- Improper land acquisition via federal land exchange allegedly violating NEPA
- Wildlife disruption in protected refuge areas
- Visual impacts on scenic Mississippi River corridor
- Precedent for utility infrastructure in protected federal lands
Why Project Succeeded (Lessons Learned)
- MISO backing: Designation as Multi-Value Project provided regional grid planning legitimacy and cost allocation
- Net environmental benefit: Land exchange resulted in net gain of refuge acreage, undermining opposition claims
- Renewable integration story: 24+ GW of clean energy enabled made project politically popular
- $151M in savings: Avoided 13 lower-voltage line upgrades, strong economic case
- Bipartisan support: Both Wisconsin and Iowa regulators and politicians supported project
- Construction timing: Proceeding with construction while litigation pending meant operational reality trumped legal delays
Project Impact
Renewable Enablement
Unlocks delivery of 24+ GW from 161 renewable energy projects across the Upper Midwest to load centers.
Grid Reliability
Eliminates 13 upgrade projects to lower-voltage lines, saving $151 million and improving regional reliability.